A sunny London last night played host to the European Premiere of ‘Arthur,’ the Russell Brand starring re-imagining of the classic Dudley Moore romantic comedy of the same name. Check out footage from the premiere below featuring Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Greta Gerwig, Geraldine James and director Jason Winer. ‘Arthur’ is set for release April 22nd in the UK. If you missed my interviews with Russell Brand and Helen Mirren you can check them out here and here respectively.

Irresponsible charmer Arthur Bach (Russell Brand) has always relied on two things to get by: his limitless fortune and the good sense of lifelong nanny Hobson (Helen Mirren) to keep him out of trouble. Now he faces his biggest challenge–choosing between an arranged marriage that will ensure his lavish lifestyle or an uncertain future with the one thing money can’t buy, Naomi (Greta Gerwig), the only woman he has ever loved. With Naomi’s inspiration and some unconventional help from Hobson, Arthur will take the most expensive risk of his life and finally learn what it means to become a man, in this re-imagining of the classic romantic comedy “Arthur.”

In the upcoming comedy ‘Arthur,’ Helen Mirren stars as Hobson, the lifelong nanny to the drunken playboy Arthur Bach (Russel Brand) who stands to lose a wealthy inheritance when he falls for a woman his family doesn’t like. The film co-stars Jennifer Garner, Nick Nolte, and Luis Guzman. ‘Arthur’ is set for release April 8th in the US, and April 22nd in the UK. Check out what Helen Mirren had to say about the film below.

How important is it for you to mix up your roles?

Helen Mirren: It’s always important for me to mix it up. My whole work life that’s what I’ve tried to do. Gone from theatre, to Television, to Film. Then within those different mediums tried to do comedy’s, more serious roles, just really change things up a lot. The one thing I’d never done was a big studio comedy, that was a major gap in my education as an actress (laughs). This was a perfect opportunity to fill that gap.

How difficult is comedy?

Helen Mirren: Comedy is hard especially when you’re an old cart horse, an old nag (laughs), and you’re put out to work with a couple of race horses and stallions. I was surrounded by brilliant performers, that was some-what intimidating but luckily my role , and that’s why I felt I could handle it, I didn’t have to be out there, I could play it straight.

It was an education for me, as much as for the education I was trying to give to the character. Mostly I was the one who was learning stuff, I learned so many things. It was one of the reasons I really wanted to do the film, and I was very lucky that I was working with such brilliantly experienced people in the world of comedy, like director Jason Winer, Russell, and screenwriter Peter Baynham. It was my education.

What made you want to choose this role?

Helen Mirren: I did it because I met Russell. I sat on a sofa opposite him for a couple of hours and he just blew me away. I had kind of worked with him in ‘The Tempest.’ We’d wearily said hi to each other, respectfully, but we hadn’t really spent time together. We bumped into each other and Russell told me about this film, and just totally seduced me, the way he does. I defy male, female or age-appropriate child to spend two hours with Russell and not be completely charmed, and just say, ‘Yeah, fine. I’ll do whatever you want.’

What did it feel like to punch Russell Brand?

Helen Mirren: Punching Russell was great (laughs), but the best thing was being taught how to punch by Evander Holyfield who was my personal trainer on the set. He’s such a gentleman, but he is the champ and he is a big guy, and quite scary. He was very quiet, and he was on the set in the corner. I went up to him and said, ‘Evander, I’ve got to punch Russell. Would you show me how to do it, please?’ He said, ‘Sure,’ and he gave me a little training. One of the highlights of the shoot for me was being taught how to punch by Evander Holyfield.

You’ve had so many beautiful performances, was there an actor or film that sparked you into becoming an actor?

Helen Mirren: Originally I was brought into wanting to become an actor by watching Shakespeare, not from an intellectual reason at all, I just loved the story’s. The story of Hamlet was just so exciting, romantic and amazing. I wanted to live in that romantic, incredible world. That was what first made me want to become an actor, wanting to imaginatively live in another world. As far as film is concerned, the thing that made me suddenly wake up to film was watching ‘L’Avventura’ by Michelangelo Antonioni and seeing the unbelievably beautiful Monica Vitti. Talking Italian, and looking gorgeous, I was like gosh I want to be like Monica Vitti in ‘L’Avventura,’ I wanted to be that, and instead I’m in ‘Arthur’ (laughs).

‘Arthur’ is the upcoming re-imagining of the classic Dudley Moore romantic comedy of the same name. The film stars Russell Brand as the irresponsible charmer Arthur Bach, who’s always relied on two things to get by: his limitless fortune and the good sense of lifelong nanny Hobson (Helen Mirren) to keep him out of trouble. Now he faces his biggest challenge–choosing between an arranged marriage that will ensure his lavish lifestyle or an uncertain future with the one thing money can’t buy, Naomi (Greta Gerwig), the only woman he has ever loved. With Naomi’s inspiration and some unconventional help from Hobson, Arthur will take the most expensive risk of his life and finally learn what it means to become a man. The film co-stars Jennifer Garner, Nick Nolte, and Luis Guzman. ‘Arthur’ is set for release April 8th in the US, and April 22nd in the UK.

How daunting was it filling into Dudley Moore’s shoes?

Russell Brand: I thought it was an honour to play a part by Dudley Moore, I’m a huge fan of his. I’m from ten minutes away from where he’s from so for me it was like a wishful fulfilment just to be offered the role. Now that it’s made I’m so proud of it, I think it’s so funny, but it also has incredible heart.

How did your past history with addiction help inform your portrayal of Arthur?

Russell Brand: I am such a thorough actor that I did two decades of research into alcoholism, just to make sure it was 100% right. The difference, of course, is that Arthur is a fictional alcoholic and has much more latitude for clowning and fun, and often his adventures don’t lead to broken glass and howling women – although he is arrested at the beginning of the film. It was very important that we established a context where the alcoholism was humorous and good fun, but was not irresponsibly portrayed. This is 2011, and it’s important to see a resolution to the problem of Arthur’s alcoholism. As a recovering alcoholic myself, I was particularly happy with how that was rendered.

What did you do as executive producer on this film?

Russell Brand: Nothing! Executive producers don’t have to do anything, nor do any kind of producers. They just sit around on deck chairs, watching stuff, and if it gets cold, they leave. There’s no kind of contribution. No, as a producer, you’ve got to be involved in helping out with solving problems.

Warner Bros. brought me this idea, very, very early on. They said, ‘Would you be interested in remaking Arthur?’ I said, ‘Yeah,’ because I really, really love Dudley Moore. But then I thought, ‘Is this ever really going to happen?’ I didn’t really imagine it would. They asked, ‘Who would you like to write it?’ I said, ‘Peter Baynham because he’s a great hero of mine.’ Then we talked about directors and I was already a fan of Jason’s show, ‘Modern Family,’ I thought, ‘My god, because of his visual style and his understanding of comedy, he will be able to make this relevant and pertinent whilst maintaining the traditional aesthetic of the storyline,’ that was exciting. Then when Peter had the idea of making Hobson female we immediately thought of Helen Mirren, for me, that was the idea that made the film feasible. That was the idea that meant, ‘Oh, this will actually happen.’ And I’m so grateful that it did because I had a wonderful opportunity to work with such incredible people.

Greta Gerwig was great, what was her audition process like?

Russell Brand: We saw loads and loads of different actresses, which was all right, but I was already on the way to getting married then so I couldn’t enjoy it like in the good old days, where auditions had a more primal quality. We did the audition with Greta and afterwards I was sitting quietly, it was the last casting of the day and I was quiet and Jason said, ‘What’s the matter?’ I said, ‘I feel sad, now that she’s gone.’ It was because I had enjoyed playing with her so much. She has such a brilliant imagination, she’s a great improviser, she has a wonderful understanding of comedy, she has a wide range of ideas and peculiar choices, and she’s a very, very beautiful person. It’s a good peculiar, in a magical way that’s a strange mutation, like only nature can produce. Also it was important that it was someone that existed outside of the paradigm of Arthur’s normal world of privilege and luxury, and someone for whom it was conceivable that you would give up a billion dollars for. Greta had this naivete and innocence, and a sense of fun and wonder that made that notion feasible.

I know you previously worked with Helen Mirren on ‘The Tempest,’ how is your relationship with her?

Russell Brand: We got on very well while making ‘The Tempest,’ but it was only while making this film that I realised what a beautiful person she is. The relationship we have in the film is similar to our actual relationship, she’s like “oh Russell what are you doing, why don’t you just carry along,” she treats me like that in actual life. She’s a little more sexy in real life if I gotta say. She does have that sense of being able to boss you around but its nice, she’s lovely.

Sexy Nanny’s don’t always work.

Russell Brand: If you googled it, it would work. But I don’t think it would work as a baby sitting system.

Yahoo have unveiled this new clip from the upcoming comedy ‘Arthur’ featuring Arthur Bach (Russell Brand) arguing with Susan Johnson (Jennifer Garner) over why they shouldn’t get hitched. The film is a re-imagining of the classic Dudley Moore romantic comedy of the same name. The trailer pleasantly suprised me if I’m honest, a couple chuckles were produced. ‘Arthur’ stars Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Greta Gerwig, Jennifer Garner, Nick Nolte, and Luis Guzman. ‘Arthur’ is set for release April 8th in the US, and April 22nd in the UK.

Irresponsible charmer Arthur Bach (Russell Brand) has always relied on two things to get by: his limitless fortune and the good sense of lifelong nanny Hobson (Helen Mirren) to keep him out of trouble. Now he faces his biggest challenge–choosing between an arranged marriage that will ensure his lavish lifestyle or an uncertain future with the one thing money can’t buy, Naomi (Greta Gerwig), the only woman he has ever loved. With Naomi’s inspiration and some unconventional help from Hobson, Arthur will take the most expensive risk of his life and finally learn what it means to become a man, in this re-imagining of the classic romantic comedy “Arthur.”

Apple have released the second (mildly amusing) trailer for the upcoming comedy ‘Arthur.’ The film is a re-imagining of the classic 1981 Dudley Moore romantic comedy of the same name. The first trailer pleasantly suprised me if I’m honest, a number of chuckles were produced, this trailer didn’t produce as many laughs from me I’m afraid to say. ‘Arthur’ stars Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Greta Gerwig, Jennifer Garner, Nick Nolte, and Luis Guzman. ‘Arthur’ is set for release April 8th in the US, and April 22nd in the UK.

Irresponsible charmer Arthur Bach (Russell Brand) has always relied on two things to get by: his limitless fortune and the good sense of lifelong nanny Hobson (Helen Mirren) to keep him out of trouble. Now he faces his biggest challenge–choosing between an arranged marriage that will ensure his lavish lifestyle or an uncertain future with the one thing money can’t buy, Naomi (Greta Gerwig), the only woman he has ever loved. With Naomi’s inspiration and some unconventional help from Hobson, Arthur will take the most expensive risk of his life and finally learn what it means to become a man, in this re-imagining of the classic romantic comedy “Arthur.”

Warner Bros have released this new poster for the upcoming comedy ‘Arthur.’ The film is a re-imagining of the classic Dudley Moore romantic comedy of the same name. The trailer pleasantly suprised me if I’m honest, a number of chuckles were produced! ‘Arthur’ stars Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Greta Gerwig, Jennifer Garner, Nick Nolte, and Luis Guzman. ‘Arthur’ is set for release April 8th in the US, and April 22nd in the UK. Fingers crossed we’re in for a treat.

Irresponsible charmer Arthur Bach (Russell Brand) has always relied on two things to get by: his limitless fortune and the good sense of lifelong nanny Hobson (Helen Mirren) to keep him out of trouble. Now he faces his biggest challenge–choosing between an arranged marriage that will ensure his lavish lifestyle or an uncertain future with the one thing money can’t buy, Naomi (Greta Gerwig), the only woman he has ever loved. With Naomi’s inspiration and some unconventional help from Hobson, Arthur will take the most expensive risk of his life and finally learn what it means to become a man, in this re-imagining of the classic romantic comedy “Arthur.”

The good folks over at Warner Bros have unveiled this debut poster for the upcoming comedy ‘Arthur.’ The film is a re-imagining of the classic Dudley Moore romantic comedy of the same name. The trailer gave me a few chuckles, hopefully we’re in for a treat. The film stars Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Greta Gerwig, Jennifer Garner, Nick Nolte, and Luis Guzman. ‘Arthur’ is set for release April 8th in the US, and April 22nd in the UK.

Irresponsible charmer Arthur Bach (Russell Brand) has always relied on two things to get by: his limitless fortune and the good sense of lifelong nanny Hobson (Helen Mirren) to keep him out of trouble. Now he faces his biggest challenge–choosing between an arranged marriage that will ensure his lavish lifestyle or an uncertain future with the one thing money can’t buy, Naomi (Greta Gerwig), the only woman he has ever loved. With Naomi’s inspiration and some unconventional help from Hobson, Arthur will take the most expensive risk of his life and finally learn what it means to become a man, in this re-imagining of the classic romantic comedy “Arthur.”

Warner Bros Pictures have let out the hatch the first the trailer for the upcoming comedy ‘Arthur,’ which stars Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Greta Gerwig, Jennifer Garner, Nick Nolte, and Luis Guzman. The film is a re-imagining of the classic Dudley Moore romantic comedy of the same name. ‘Arthur’ is set for release April 8th in the US, and April 22nd in the UK. Check out the trailer below, it conjured quite a few laughs out of me!

Irresponsible charmer Arthur Bach (Russell Brand) has always relied on two things to get by: his limitless fortune and the good sense of lifelong nanny Hobson (Helen Mirren) to keep him out of trouble. Now he faces his biggest challenge–choosing between an arranged marriage that will ensure his lavish lifestyle or an uncertain future with the one thing money can’t buy, Naomi (Greta Gerwig), the only woman he has ever loved. With Naomi’s inspiration and some unconventional help from Hobson, Arthur will take the most expensive risk of his life and finally learn what it means to become a man, in this re-imagining of the classic romantic comedy “Arthur.”

Cinemablend have got their movie loving mitts on these two new clips from Ivan Reitman‘s (Ghostbusters, Kindergarten Cop) forthcoming comedy ‘No Strings Attached’. The film stars Ashton Kutcher – the reigning king of Twitter, and Natalie Portman – Darth Vader’s Baby Mama, as two friends who decide to begin a no strings attached sexual relationship, hence the title. The film also co-stars Cary Elwes, Greta Gerwig, Ludacris, Kevin Kline, and Olivia Thirlby.

Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher play two friends who agree to start a casual fling, thinking they can do it without any emotional baggage. Sounds easy enough, right? Sure — that is, until love gets in the way.

Paramount Pictures have released a brand spanking new red band trailer for Ivan Reitman‘s (Ghost Busters, Kindergarten Cop) upcoming comedy ‘No Strings Attached’. The film stars Ashton Kutcher – the reigning king of Twitter, and Natalie Portman – Darth Vader’s Baby Mama, as two friends who decide to begin a no strings attached sexual relationship, hence the title. The film also co-stars Cary Elwes, Greta Gerwig, Ludacris, Kevin Kline, and Olivia Thirlby.

Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher play two friends who agree to start a casual fling, thinking they can do it without any emotional baggage. Sounds easy enough, right? Sure — that is, until love gets in the way.